Kayla Russell with three Mareeba chances

By Glenn Davis

Winners have been a little slow to come this season for young hobby trainer Kayla Russell but don’t read into it too much.

Russell been training since early in 2020 and has never had a stable bigger than eight.

She currently has five horses in work at Townsville and will head to Mareeba on Boxing Day with a team of three.

Russell’s season statistics reveal she has trained two winners and seven placings from just 17 starters while she combines her love of horses with a full-time job working as a salesperson in a Townsville produce store.

The 34-year-old is the daughter of well-known North Queensland trainer and former jockey Julie Russell who is based at Charters Towers while her father George was also a former jockey.

Training is only a hobby for Russell as she prefers to concentrate on the showjumping circuit.

“I don’t train all the year and showjumping is my number one hobby while racing is my hobby in the showjumping off-season,” Russell said.

“I stop training thoroughbreds around Easter time each year and go on the showjumping circuit in North Queensland."

Russell also has to juggle her training and showjumping career with bringing up 15-year-old daughter Miley who has just secured her stablehand licence.

She started her training career at Charters Towers but now has training centres at Townsville and Gumlu which is halfway between Bowen and Townsville.

“I started off at Charters Towers and moved four years ago to Gumlu but unfortunately my partner Dyllan Stagg had a bad car accident and broke both legs, so we had to sell the house and move again,” she said.

“Dyllan has only just got going again so racing has really helped us keep going.

Russell will head to Mareeba on the Atheron Tablelands with three starters and is hopeful of improving her season’s statistics.

Mishani Perfection will start in the Benchmark 55 Handicap while Stateswoman and Vegameister clash in the Benchmark 50 Handicap.

“I rate Stateswoman as my best chance on her last start third in Cairns,” Russell said.

“She was carted a bit wide on the turn last time and she likes to sit back.

“Mishani Perfection ran eighth in Cairns last start but she’s not really a TAB horse.

“She’s capable of winning any day of the week but she’s got to find the front.”